Makeup for Acne Archives

I just received the following question from a reader and, since finding the best makeup for teenagers is such a common concern, I decided to address it in a post for everyone to share.

Question: I’m 16, and becoming interested in beginning to wear makeup. My skin has a cool undertone (it’s quite pale), and I think my brown hair has more of a “warm” one (it reflects a coppery colour in sunlight). My acne is currently under control due to the medications I’m using, but I can break out at the drop of a hat. What are some product/colour recommendations you might have for face powder, concealer, and some other basics? I’m pretty frugal, so I’m looking for mid- to low-range pricing.

Thanks!!

Hi Alana,

That’s so great that you’re interested in starting to use makeup and learning how to use it correctly! My skin and hair are actually very similar to yours, so I’m going to recommend to you some of the best drugstore makeup products that have worked wonders for me.

The drugstore is a great place to find makeup and I’m a huge fan of the brands found there. CoverGirl’s “Clean” line has specific products meant for sensitive skin and I love their liquid foundation and pressed powder. They also have a pretty large color range with plenty of pale shades!

If you’re looking for eye makeup, I would recommend starting with a neutral palette such as the CoverGirl “Country Woods” palette or the Wet ‘n’ Wild “Vanity” palette.

My favorite natural-looking mascara is Maybelline’s Full ‘n’ Soft mascara in a dark brown shade, since sometimes black can be too dramatic on pale skin.

It’s difficult to combine acne medicine and makeup into one product without overdrying your skin. In fact, you have to be extremely careful not to add too much acne treatment medicine with a makeup that already has some in it. However, there are a few products that have gotten great reviews from users. They work best on people with mild acne and/or very oily skin. Here’s a round-up of the best ones in my own order of preference:

Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Foundation: This foundation for acne prone skin is particularly good for those with oily skin. It provides moderate coverage and a matte finish. You will still have to carry around some blotting powder or papers, but it does help with mild acne. It also has some colors for very fair skin.

Bare Minerals Rare Minerals Blemish Therapy: This is described as a treatment, but it actually provides some coverage as well. It contains Bare Escentuals rare minerals, so it doesn’t interact with any other acne medicine you are using. I like the fact that I can put some on at night and it reduces the redness of any pimples I put it on.

Murad Acne Treatment Concealer: This will only help with very small blemishes, but gives decent coverage. Since it also contains salicylic acid, be careful about combining it with your current treatment, if you use one. It comes in the perfect size for carrying around in your purse.

Cover FX Acne Treat and Conceal Kit: This kit contains travel size versions of a full line of Cover FX acne products. People mostly love the primer, which has the acne medicine in it. Otherwise, this is best for people with very oily skin since it can be chalky looking. Also, you have to get lucky with the colors since they are very limited. However, it’s a terrific value.

Neutrogena Skin Clearing Liquid Foundation: Your only real drugstore cosmetic option, Neutrogena’s foundation doesn’t provide much coverage but can be good for people with very mild acne. You can’t beat the price.

Have any other acne makeup products with medicine in them that you love? Let all of us know!

I haven’t done a proper Benefit Cosmetics review yet, which is inexcusable since Hello Flawless Custom Cover Upis my ‘go-to’ powder foundation when I need extra coverage. This is one of my favorite foundations for acne prone skin, and I have been using it for several years now. It gives excellent coverage, has the option of using either a sponge or brush for application, lasts all day, and doesn’t make me break out. Sounds perfect, right?

Here is the description from the company:

Custom cover! For a light, natural finish, sweep on “hello flawless!” with the accompanying brush. Blend on with the sponge for full coverage or spot concealing. Apply & you’ll see… it was meant to be! With 6 flattering shades, it’s easier than ever to find your perfect match. Lesson included.

What I Love

I tend to use the sponge since it gives so much coverage that I usually don’t need any concealer. Isn’t it great when you can just use one product to do the job of two? The less makeup you use, the less chance of aggravating your acne.

The brush is great when you only need a little color, but it gives almost no coverage. Keep it for when your skin is in good condition and you can get away with a little dab of concealer here and there.

I almost forgot to mention – Hello Flawless also has an SPF 15. That makes this a 3-in-1 foundation. You can’t beat that!

Improvements Needed

There are only two criticisms I have for Hello Flawless. The first is the lack of a truly light shade. Luckily, the lightest shade is perfect for me (Me, Vain?), but it probably won’t work for someone with extremely fair skin.

My other complaint is about the case it comes in. I like to be able to carry my powder foundation with me if possible. The case for Hello Flawless is a bit big and very square. Does that seem a little trivial? Well, it isn’t enough to keep me from using it. I just carry something like MAC Blot Powder for any “grease” emergencies.

About Benefit

Benefit Cosmetics is a little bit of a cult brand that’s not as easy to find as the mainstream lines. They are incredibly creative in the way they name their products, and they maintain a very high quality standard. Their Hello Flawless compact powder foundation is one of the stars of their product line, at least in my eyes, but I also love their blushes, bronzers, and lip tint. With names like Confessions of a Concealaholic, you could definitely go a little crazy once you start browsing their line. So be careful and keep to your makeup budget!

Where to Buy

You can find Benefit Cosmetics products and Hello Flawless Custom Cover UP powder foundation online and in specialty cosmetics stores. Ulta.com carries the full range and always sends you 3 free samples. They also have free shipping when you spend over $50.

Finding the right color foundation for very fair or darker complexions can be difficult since most companies have a relatively limited range of choices, especially when it comes to natural makeup. For women of color, I just came across the organic mineral makeup brand Valana Minerals. I’ve often heard complaints that the colors available from major mineral makeup brands can look ashy as it gets darker, just as it can look a little chalky on very light skin. Valana seems to have solved that problem with a “natural mineral makeup for women of color”.

According to the company, these are the main features of the Valana Minerals makeup line:

100% Natural and Vegan

Formulated for sensitive skin

Large range of colors

Exceptional quality

Radiant glow – no “ashy” look

There are numerous testimonials on their website of customers raving about how much they love the Valana makeup. Also, the company says that even though the product line was created for ethnic skin tones, the large range of colors works on many shades of skin.

If you’ve had problems finding a good color match in mineral makeup for your skin tone, take a look at Valana. They are available in some Whole Foods stores (this is an organic line) or you can go directly to their website: Valana Minerals.

I just found out that SkinStore.com is now selling Jane Iredale cosmetics. This is a popular brand that I’ve been meaning to try out for quite awhile, so now is a great time. I’ll post a review once I have some experience with it. I love the fact that it is made with natural ingredients, no parabens, oils, etc. It is supposed to be great for sensitive skin and those with eczema or rosacea.